DIY Forced Spring Blooms – Choosing the Best Flowers & Materials

Image via: Woven Home

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Materials Needed:

• Working gloves
• Pruning shears or scissors
• Plant container (bottles, vases, or jars)
• Floral preservatives

Choose your preferred shrubs or trees:

• Shrubs:

  • Forsythia
  • Wintersweet
  • Honeysuckles
  • Spiraea
  • Flowering squince

• Trees:

  • Red Maple
  • Pear
  • Apple
  • Redbud
  • Apricot Cherry

  

  Image via: The Cranes Nest

Procedure:

1. Cut the branch of the shrubs or trees. Make sure that you carefully identify the swollen or plump buds before cutting.
2. Trim the ends of the branch. Remove any twig at about 3 – 4 inches from its bottom.
3. Slit the branch in different directions. It should be around ½ inch long. Use the pruning shear or sharp scissors to perform this step. Mash the ends of the slit into a hard surface. This will allow the ends to splay and encourage water absorption.
4. Submerge the branch completely in a container of cold to lukewarm water. Have the branches soaked overnight.
5. Position the branch upright in your container and place it in a cool and dark area. A basement or hall closet will do. Leave the branch until buds are beginning to show signs of growth. This is about a week or two depending on the type of branch you choose.
6. Then, relocate the plant into your desired location.

The whole process doesn’t end in relocation. You should take care of the plant more than ever. Perform a normal maintenance procedure just like any other plant. You will be surprise that you just did it!

For more gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Plants are generally dependent on their environment. The winter environment has something to do with their capability to bloom. But with proper intervention, you can make it possible.

How to Force Blooms from Tree Branches for Spring Flowers

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Consider these effective ideas to force spring flowers to bloom during the cooler months. Here’s a helpful bulb calendar to know when to plant your bulbs to force blooms. Empress of Dirt has a great article about forcing bulbs to bloom. We love their chart below:

Image via: Empress of Dirt

Proper timing to cut tree branches

The majority of spring flowers requires an ample time of cold dormancy. This will allow them to adapt to indoor locations and force them to bloom. It is best to cut the branches while it is still relatively warm. You can opt to start in mid-January until late February or early March. See to it that the branches are well taken care of during this transition period.

Spring Flowers: Know what to cut

This is a crucial step in the whole process. This will make or break everything that you plan. When cutting, make sure that you look for swollen and plump buds.  Look for larger and rounder buds for a better branch. You have to cut it long enough to display the branch at an angle. Use proper cutting tools in this process.

Avoid branches getting dry

You have to maintain proper moisture to the branches. Cover the branch with a plastic bag loosely or have them mist daily to avoid drying. Make sure that the water doesn’t stick in the container and becomes cloudy. Place the container in a cool place for quick recovery and transition.

Expect to see the buds starting to open within 1 – 6 weeks. But the care and maintenance for the spring flowers should be consistent all throughout.

For more gardening ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

How to Make a Succulent Terrarium Tutorial

Image via: West Elm

Today you will see how to make a soil terrarium and watch a video on how to build one in a glass container or a bottle.

Image via: Etsy – Doodle Birdie – Succulent Terrarium

How to Make a Glass Terrarium:

Link to –> How to Make a Glass Terrarium Video

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How to make a glass terrarium:

You don’t have to miss all the greenery of your garden this winter. Just add a terrarium it will provide the green foliage you want in the interior. This wonderful piece of art is a great indoor plant decoration. It will add color to your space and enhance the oxygen supply in the room.

The terrarium is getting popular for its exceptional beauty and functionality. It makes a certain area at home look better and greener. If you’re interested in having this masterpiece, you can do it by yourself at home. You just have to prepare all the materials and tools needed for this project.

Terrarium Supplies:

• Glass container or glass terrarium
• Charcoal
• Soil
• Succulents, cacti or garden plants
• Working gloves
• Hand trowel
• Watering can

Directions:

1. Scatter the charcoal in the base of your glass container. This should be at least 1-2 inches thick. Leave a handful of charcoal.
2. Mix the remaining charcoal with a decent amount of soil. Use hand trowel and working gloves in mixing.
3. Add another layer of pure soil. This should cover at least a quarter or half of the container. Compress the soil gently as you fill in the layer. The process will prevent large air pockets.
4. Place your plants on top of the layered soil. Provide enough space for each plant you place. This will allow you to insert additional soil in between spaces.
5. Press the pack of soil around the plants. Do this gently and ensure that the roots are fully covered and that the plants will not go too far beyond the container.
6. Water the plants and place it in a conducive area where sunlight is present.
7. Allow the plants to adapt in its new location before relocating it to your desired area indoor.

Image via: West Elm

After placing your terrarium indoors, bear in mind that you still have to take care of it regularly. You have to water the plants regularly and trim the excess foliage that go beyond the container. This is definitely a worthwhile project you can do this winter! If you don’t feel like making a terrarium you can buy one from Terrain, we love their terrariums!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture and more succulent care ideas, click here.

Summer is in full bloom and gardening is one of the things that people love to do during the summer. Greenery and plantation gives a very calming and soothing effect and everyone loves to have plants, in some form or the other, around them. Here we present some very easy, but effective, gardening projects that you can begin during this summer, irrespective of whether you have a backyard or whether you live in an apartment.

Image via: Pinterest

Vertical Garden

Nothing looks as beautiful and alluring as a vertical garden on an empty wall. Creating a vertical garden in your home is a very simple task. All you have to do is plant some individual plants, set them flat in soil, until they develop roots. Once they are set, transfer them to the wall. A vertical garden is something that is not so famous, initiating it in your own house would also provide your friends and family with an urge to try it out.

Potted Vegetable Garden

It is easy to plant potted vegetable gardens, in your apartment, if enough sunshine comes in. Thus, you no longer need a backyard for planting vegetables. Get ready to plant some fresh seasonal vegetables in your home and create a mini-garden of your own.

Image via: Daun

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Hanging Bonsai

A hanging bonsai is one of the best decorative pieces one can hang on the walls of their home or office. It gives a very pleasant effect to the entire room. It requires no investment at all, is super easy to maintain and is perfect for apartments or small areas.

Guerrilla Gardening

Many people have this desire to serve the community by planting trees and other beautiful plants, while others love gardening, but have no place of their own to do so. If this is the case, you can go for guerrilla gardening by planting in small cracks or crevices or simply throwing seeds over an area. This will not only increase vegetation, but will also fulfill your desire of gardening.

Image via: NR45

These are some of the gardening projects that you can simply do yourself at home or even your workplace. These plantations are very easy and even people with no experience of gardening can perform. Thus, having a backyard or a lawn is no longer a prerequisite for gardening, all you need to have is the love for gardening.

For more gardening ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The weather is warming, the sun is out and color is a must for this spring to plant a flower garden.  So starting your own garden would be the perfect addition to your exterior appeal.  When beginning your own garden it can seem to have an all-at-once effect but if you take step by step then it shouldn’t be so bad. Try it out and see how it works out for you!

Image via: Wedding Aces

Choosing the Right Location

Now you want to keep in mind the climate and humidity within the area you live in and wherever you plan to put the garden make sure that it will obtain at least 5 hours of sunlight each day. The best time to plant is when you are sure that the frost of the year is absolutely done and it is spring. You will need to dig out under the top layer of soil and mix it with decaying leaves, branches and fertile soil. Also remove the weeds while you are in the process of digging.

Purchasing the Plants

Pick the plants that satisfy your taste and wants.  Depending on the type of plants you would like to get will determine the maintenance, spacing and order of the flowers. Lilies, dahlias, heliotrope, petunias, gladiolus, and balsma are great starter plants because they are easier to maintain and they grow back better than before each year.  If you would like to use other plants, which is fine, then go a the plant nursery or plant store and select from there.

Image via: Designing Nature Inc.

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Transitioning from Pot to Ground

Think about the placement, color variation, and sizes of the plants when you are ready to actually plant them.  If the plants that you have chosen are known to get bigger or grow larger as the years go on then leave enough spacing and room so that they plants do not become crowded and begin to fight for sunlight. You want to start by digging the hole for the plant (keeping sizes and colors in mind) that is wider and larger the expected root ball with a trowel.  Once the hole is dug, handle the plants by the root ball versus by their breakable stems.  You want tip the container sideways and gently wiggle/shake the plant until the plant is completely loose from the container.  Next, stand the plant in the hole and cover the root ball with soil, then gently pat down the soil around the plant and water.  Repeat this process for each plant that you want to use. Keep the plant well watered until it is sustained.

Image via:123 RF

Keeping a Healthy Garden

Water your flower garden early in the day so that the rays from the sun do not create water damage on the leaves.  Put down pebbles, smooth stones or mulch so it will become much more difficult for weeds and insects to grow and habitat within your garden.  After all of this work you will become more of an expert than a beginner in no time.

For more gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Image via: Instructables

Tools

Before you can get started, you need to have a few simple tools of the gardening trade. A trowel will help you dig into the ground, which will allow you to plant those special flowers and vegetables that you want to grow. Without a trowel, you won’t be able to do the gardening correctly.

A hoe will enable you to turn over the soil properly, and it will ensure that the seeds can grow in fresh soil that is rich with nutrients. A rake will ensure that you can get all the rocks and stones out of your garden, and will make it possible for you to level off the beds that you will be using to grow your plants.

In order to help your plants grow, you’re going to need some form of irrigation. Using a hose to water your plants by hand will be fine when they’re full grown, but water shooting from a hose can damage seedlings. It’s best to set up a sprinkler system for your garden, as it will give your plants plenty of water without risking damage.

If you really want to grow plants and flowers in style, a greenhouse will be the way to go. Setting up a greenhouse can be fairly simple, though perhaps not as inexpensive as you might like. It’s worth your investment, though, as a good greenhouse will ensure that your plants can grow in a protected environment.

Want to know the best plants this summer? Consider the following three plants:

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is one of the trendy succulents that many people are growing, and they will make a very useful addition to your home. Not only will they be fairly tough, but they will be useful for your skin. If you have acne, get a sun burn, or scald yourself in the kitchen, you can rush out to the garden and use the natural plant to soothe the pain.

Image via: The Gardens

Lettuce 

There’s nothing like a garden salad made with lettuce that you just picked minutes before, and there will be no wilted leaves to throw off the taste of your delicious salad. You’ll find that growing your own lettuce this spring will be fairly easy, and it will enable you to serve up tasty treats to your family. Keeping healthy by eating your veggies is important, so grow lettuce in your garden to be served at your table!

Pentas 

Pentas flowers are sweet little blooms that will not only add color and life to your garden, but they’ll attract birds and butterflies as well. You can attract wildlife to your garden, and planting these flowers will turn your garden into a beautiful bird and butterfly garden. With a few trees to provide shade and these deliciously colorful flowers to provide food, you’ve got the perfect place to see birds and butterflies!

You’ve got everything you need to plant your garden, so it’s time to get out and get working. Your green thumb will serve you well this spring, so have fun growing plants, vegetables, and fruits in your garden as spring transitions into warm summer!

For more gardening tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature. ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Last week you enjoyed Adele Baumann  – ‘Fun & Practical Ideas for Pet Organization’‘ and this week I bring you Sam Holloway a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room. I asked her for organization ideas to get your spring outdoor home ready, and she chose a potting shed – which is always well used during the Spring! Great tips for getting your ‘green thumb’ ready for gardening and relaxing.

The Potting Shed is every gardeners dream, a sanctuary, a place of peace and quiet. Under the guise of a place to store all your gardening tools and to ‘pot up’ plants, it is a place where plans are made, dreams are lived out and newspapers are read!

Potting sheds are true temples to recycling, shelving, counters and storage made from pallets, pipes and boxes. Potting shades aren’t just for gardening. They are also the spot to sit back and listen to the fall of the rain or watch your garden grow. Potting sheds need to be well-equipped and organised to keep the space functional. When designing the space, accent the room with personal accessories to create a homey feel. Create individual areas like a planting area, storage space and relaxing spot.

Follow these simple tips to keep your potting shed organised and a comfortable refuge from the stresses of everyday life.

• Fit out your potting shed with plenty of shelving and counter space made from recycled pallets and unwanted furniture.
• After cleaning, Arrange pots by type and size on the shelving and in under counter storage boxes.
• Hang twine, gloves and other essentials from a rail in handy grabbing distance of your potting workspace, pegboards are also a great way of keeping smaller items organised and within easy reach.
• Use old Mason jars to keep your seeds dry and airtight, use a black pen on jam labels or parcel tags to show the contents.
• Use a cutlery divider to store and organise smaller items.
• Store your potting soil, fertilizer, mulch or triple mix in large plastic covered storage bins along with a scoop.
• Use heavy duty wall mountable hooks for storing hosing and larger gardening tools.
• Recycling Bag with Stand to easily separate your glass, paper and plastic recyclables.
• Use a permanent marker pen to write the variety of the plant directly onto each bulb before wrapping in newspaper and storing.
• Place old apple crates underneath the counter tops for additional storage which is easily stackable.

Finally add your personal touch with a few fun items such as flowerpot men, fun colourful signs and plant stakes. A small refrigerator tucked into a corner can store flower bulbs and a few cold drinks. Keep yourself cool on a hot summer’s day with a fan and warm on a cool morning with a small heater. Include some homely touches like a kettle, curtains, cushions and a few good books.  An old chair is ideal for resting your feet and enjoying a nice cup of tea after a long day working in the garden.

To see Sam Holloway’s other Olioboard submissions on Stagetecture, click here.

Spring is right around the corner and one thing that usually can tell us about the seasonal changes are the flowers.  Something as simple as adding flowering quinces to your home will show that spring is near and newness has begun.  Some have even thought of it as aromatherapy because flowers can bring in their own fragrance, beauty and serenity. Flowers of the Month

Flora Charm- Flowering Quinces

Image via: Southern Living

The month of February brings in some of the most loved and cherished flowers known to this day; such as the  white flowering quinces, calla lily, and the cattleya orchid. The plants help to liven up and usher in a refreshing feeling to the space.  Nature is an inspiration in and of itself and will bring in those characteristic to your home.

Image via:  BP

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Mix and Match

Image via: Pinterest

You could put them into a vase with long stems still attached or in a bowl of water where the stems have been detached.  Perhaps, even add some fruit with the flowers.  The fruit will add an elegant and its own serene attraction to the piece and the place where it is situated.  However you may want to go about it remember that flowers can be an inexpensive way to upgrade a home and make it more appealing to the residence living in it.  Try it out.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Just because the cold is setting in doesn’t mean you can’t bring outdoor floral inspiration to your interiors. Orchids are beautiful flowering plants that have served as a symbol of love throughout history.  There are currently over 750 different genera of this type of flower and 30,000 different hybrids.  With these vast numbers, you are sure to find one with a look and color that suits your personal taste.  Orchids have the reputation for being a bit difficult to take care of, but if you follow the following tips, you will be sure to have beautiful blossoms to enjoy in your home.

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Selecting Orchids for Your Home

When you are looking for a type of orchid to have in your home, you need to make sure it is suitable for the environment.  If it’s your first orchid, you may want to look for one that is easy to grow and has the ability to adapt to a variety of conditions.  It is a good idea to buy a plant that is already flowering.  If you plant the orchid from a seed, it can take up to five years to blossom.

Plant Nutrition

Since there are so many different types of these plants, each one will have its own watering requirements.  As a general rule, you should water them every 5 to 12 days.  It is important to keep in mind the season. Of course, this number can change according to the type of orchid you have and the temperature in your home.  It is a good idea to ask the specialist at your local nursery for his or her recommendations.  Also, keep in mind orchids in warmer climates will often need more water than those in cooler climates.

You should fertilize your orchid once a month.  As the orchid produces new shoots, use fertilizer that contains a higher percentage of nitrogen.  Later in the season, add in more phosphorous and potassium.  Remember that there can be too much of a good thing, so do not over fertilize.  This can and will actually harm your orchid.

Potting

The way you plant your orchid depends on what type of plant it is.  A terrestrial orchid is one that is planted in soil much like other plants with which you are familiar.  An epiphytic orchid has roots that attach to trees or bark and do not require soil to grow.  In fact, they can die if they are planted in soil.  This type of orchid grows best when provided with pieces of bark or cork on which to grow.  Proper aeration and drainage are essential for orchid to grow

Pruning

Your orchid’s blooms peak around late winter and usually last for 4 to 12 weeks.  After the blossoms start to fade, cut the spike down to ½ inch above the foliage.  You should also prune any dead leaves or flower steams.  Make sure you use clean, sterile pruners on your orchid.  This will ensure that there is no contamination and disease passed from plant to plant.  A good way to sterilize your tools is to soak them in bleach.

Aeration

Orchids need proper air circulation and temperature to thrive.  Keep the temperature in your home between 65-85°F.  Circulating air can keep your orchid’s leaves and flowers dry and prevent fungal infestations.  In the summer, you can open your windows and let the air naturally circulate.  In the winter, an oscillating fan is recommended.  Be sure not to place the fan directly in front of the orchid.

While the orchid care tips seems endless, they have the potential to provide beauty and elegance to your home for months if given the proper care.

Article courtesy of Pro Flowers, connecting consumers with fresh-from-the-field flowers on each and every order since 1998.

Images via: 1, 2 – from guest blogger

For more home interiors ideas on Stagetecture, click here.